Skip to main content

Organizing for Missions: Part 1 by Pastor Charlie Handren

By Anonymous
     On May 12, 1792 William Carey published a little pamphlet entitled, An Enquiry into the Obligations of Christians to Use Means for the Conversion of the Heathens. By God’s grace, his words inspired the modern missionary movement, and by God’s grace, I’m praying that they will inspire a fresh passion for global missions at Glory of Christ.
     Having pled with his readers to rise up and pray for the missionary enterprise in the world, Carey then called them prayer-born action. Specifically, he thought it would be good for ministers and non-vocational Christians who were serious about the Great Commission to form themselves into missionary societies, or what we would call a non-profit organization.
     As for the members of these societies, Carey suggested that they possess three things: (1) a passion for the work, (2) a seriousness about the Lord, the Church, and the call of the Great Commission, and (3) a spirit of perseverance. He suggested that only such as these be admitted, and that those who began in this way but then altered their convictions or behaviors should be immediately dismissed. Please don’t miss this point: the success of the societies was dependent upon the character and convictions of those who made them up.
     As for the tasks that the societies were to perform, Carey suggested five things: (1) they should develop rules and regulations for the society and those they send, (2) they should research missions then and now and become experts in the field, (3) they should receive contributions for the work, (4) they should “enquire into the characters, tempers, abilities and religious views” of potential missionaries, and (5) once missionaries are appointed they should provide the missionaries with all they need to fulfill their calling. This was, of course, an initial list and not an exhaustive one, but his point was that his vision was concrete and achievable.
     Carey did pause at this point to warn those who might form such societies to be prayerful, careful, and diligent about vetting and sending the right people. To make his point, he cited a well-known case where some were sent to India in the name of Jesus but whose true motive was to become wealthy and live accordingly. Sadly, as they persuaded some to become “Christians,” those people emulated their way of life, made a scandal of Christianity, and caused the Indian government to eject all missionaries and censure all Christians in that area.
     The work of the societies, then, was serious and it called for prayerful and serious people to rise up and do it. Accordingly, Carey pled with his own Baptist denomination to lead the way in this endeavor. Next week I’ll write about what came of his plea, but for now, I want to encourage you to ponder two questions with me: how should modern Christians organize themselves to preach the gospel to the nations, and what part will you play?

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Worship Songs, October 15, 2017

By
We post these worship songs leading up to the worship service so that parents may listen to them in the house or in the car within the days leading up to the worship service. Our hope is that children will hear the songs prior to and it will prepare them to participate in worship on Sunday mornings. My Redeemers Love Hope Has Come I Will Glory In My Redeemer Blessed Be Your Name Here In Your Presence Your Glory Be Still My Soul (In You I Rest) -- Sermon Text: John 11:1-16 That the next generation will set their hope in God and not forget the works of God (Psalm 78:7).
Post a Comment
Read more

God Displays His Beauty While Lifting Heavy Burdens by Pastor Kevin

By
I know I am a little bit overweight. My doctor tells me so. The mirror that I look into affirms it and the scale (that I mostly avoid) reminds me every time I step on it. All of that makes what I am about to say so much more impressive. I had the privilege of sitting on the beaches of Florida's Atlantic coast for 8 days on our most recent family trip. For me there is something magical about the beach, especially on the Atlantic side with the waves washing up against the shoreline. We have been lucky enough to find a sleepy beach town to vacation at. A nook, if you will, that typically features retired folks or families with kids. Out of the way of those who want to party, the beach is truly a relaxing place for me.  Let me tell you something that I gleaned this time around that never quite landed on me. This last week it landed on me, almost literally. My son Ben and I are the more adventurous specimens in the Feder five. We actually get into the salty water where there are jelly f...
2 comments
Read more

We Will Feast in the House of Zion by Patience Griswold

By Anonymous
No one ever plans to have their lives upended. We know that the world is broken and bound in futility, we know that everything can change in an instant, and yet crises still have the ability to shake us to our core. None of us entered 2020 planning to experience a global pandemic this year, but here we are, practicing social distancing, wondering how the virus will affect us and our families, and wondering when we will be able to return to our regular rhythms and routines as what can feel a little like the world falling apart around us.  In the midst of social distancing, I miss my church family. I miss my Bible study, the kids in my Sunday school class, the ability to meet people for coffee, and I know that I am not alone in this. It is not wrong to grieve the temporary loss of these things. In fact, we ought to grieve, even as we seek to live joyfully and find satisfaction in Christ in the midst of difficult circumstances. If we feel no grief whatsoever over the loss of some...
1 comment
Read more